How did RCB manage slow pitches?

RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) had a mixed record on slow pitches, especially during the UAE editions like IPL 2020. While they showed glimpses of adapting well, slow and low tracks often exposed their limitations. Here's how they tried to manage:

🧠 RCB's Approach to Slow Pitches

1. 🔄 Shift to a Batting Blueprint Around Anchors

Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal played more conservative roles upfront to adjust to slower decks.
The idea was to bat deep and accelerate only after assessing the pitch.

2. 🧱 Spin-Heavy Middle Overs

On slow UAE pitches, RCB leaned on Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar.
Chahal was their go-to weapon — varying flight and pace with great control.
Sundar bowled Powerplay overs, containing runs smartly on turning tracks.

3. 🛑 Death Overs Struggles

While they adapted to the slowness with spinners, death bowling remained a concern.
On sticky wickets, their pacers (like Siraj and Saini) lacked consistency with slower balls and yorkers.

4. 🧮 Adapting Batting Depth

RCB tried tactical inclusions like Shivam Dube and Chris Morris to boost depth.
But slow pitches exposed RCB's occasional lack of acceleration when the top order failed.

⚠️ Challenges on Slow Pitches

AB de Villiers was their X-factor, but even he found timing tricky on two-paced tracks.
Middle-order collapses were common when they couldn’t rotate strike.
On pitches like Abu Dhabi and Dubai that offered variable bounce, they often got bogged down.

🧪 Notable Adjustments (IPL 2020)

Bowling first when dew was expected.
Playing two spinners on sluggish wickets.
Slower-ball usage increased by pacers.

RCB did make the playoffs in IPL 2020, showing some adaptation, but they never fully mastered slow pitches. Want a breakdown of a specific match where they struggled or succeeded on a sluggish track?